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Gut Reaction: Mets 4, Cubs 2 (NLCS G1)

The Mets received a stellar pitching performance from Matt Harvey and jumped out to the early lead in the NLCS with a 4-2 victory over the Cubs Saturday night in Citi Field.

Harvey allowed two runs over 7.2 innings but just as importantly, he established dominance early, as he struck out five of the first nine batters he faced. He was cruising until the fifth inning, when he hit a batter and seemed temporarily rattled. But despite two hits, a walk, a HBP and a SB, Chicago was able to score just one run. Harvey did not allow another run until his last batter, when he served up a solo homer to Kyle Schwarber

Jeurys Familia was brought on for a four-out save. He allowed his first baserunner and later first hit of the postseason but nailed down the win to earn his third save of the 2015 playoffs.

Daniel Murphy continued his clutch hitting with a solo homer in the bottom of the first. Curtis Granderson continued his clutch hitting with an RBI single to give the Mets a 2-1 lead. Travis d’Arnaud hit a frozen rope to straight away CF to give the Mets a two-run lead. Juan Lagares manufactured a run for the Mets’ final run, stealing a base and scoring on a SF by Granderson.

And just for kicks, Murphy ended the game with a diving stop and got up to throw the runner out at first base.

I made a mistake, it was pointed out to me graciously and I corrected it. Stephen corrected me within minutes of this being posted. I could have easily fixed it, deleted his comment and pretended it never happened. Instead, I owned my error. I’ll try to do better next time.

Three moves TC made that were good. Harvey pitching the 8th, Familia’s four out save, and bringing Duda in for defense. Harvey was dominant and under 100 pitches. Familia was not going to give up a two run lead and 1-0 in the series is crucial. Duda, a sensitive sort, still feels “invested” by his manager.
Cespedes has a rocket for an arm and if the Mets sign him, they could move him to right after the Granderson’s contract. Lagares with two more hits proves he can hit in the majors in a platoon. Hopefully he can devlope against RHP also.
Murphy has credited Long with his new found approach.
The Cubs need a victory with their ace going but a Met win would really knock the Cubs off their feet. I believe Thor’s Hammer could deliver this crushing blow.

Murphy is earning more money for every clutch play in the postseason. I knew that his comments on homosexuals before the season (in New York of all places) was going to punch his ticket out of Queens, but his paycheck will be too big for the Wilpons.

Amazing win for the Amazin’s..!
Harvey was on and we need the other young guns to give us 7-8 innings because outside of the “Family man” (Famila) Mets are iffy in the pen.
Hope for Thor to give those free swinging Cubbies some medicine tonight, go 7, and maybe Bartolo can close it out with Familia getting a couple of days rest. This would be best scenario. Sad article today in Fox News about Mets possibly losing both Murph and Cespedes, 3-4 hitters next year.
Please say it ain’t so Wilpons !!!!!

With the 4 extra games this postseason at CITI Field already in the bank, possibly more, and the contracts like Bartolo $10m coming off the books, Mets and Sandy can keep the team together if they really want to.
I get it with Murph, as Mets have Herrera and Flores as potential 2b of the future, but right now “Murph” is “Superman” to go with the Dark Knight, Thor, Flash (Cespedes) etc… Maybe Flores can stay at SS and just work to get better defensively ?
Keep Murphy if possible.

Yeah, it would be fun to know how much extra cash the Wilpons earned from the playoff games.

I don’t want to see Colon on the mound in a close game against the Cubs. I know he’s the wily veteran but I want to keep throwing 95+ mph at them. If we use someone outside Reed-Clippard-Familia — I hope it’s Robles.

I agree with Brian in terms of wariness about Colon vs. this particular team. But disagree that a decision can be made based on bullpen warmups. That seems a little nutty to me.

I give Collins credit because obviously he recognizes the team’s strengths and weakness and has quietly determined that he’s not going to let Clippard & Reed lose games for us, at least to the extent that it’s possible.

On the downside, he remains unable to say no to David Wright, even after admitting out loud that Wright comes back better when he gets rest. He’s been absolutely feeble and I don’t give him much chance about Arrieta’s slider. Oh well — you never know!